Chaminade Legacy, Volume 3

Volumes 2, 3, and 4 of The Chaminade Legacy gather together Father Chaminade’s notes for conferences and sermons. They may be dated between 1800 and 1809, and almost all were intended for lay people. Volume three (620 pages) includes four notebooks covering the following subjects, according to the AGMAR classification.

Moral life. Preparation for death. Love of God and the spiritual, theological, and penitential life. Prayer.

Respect for God and neighbor. Seven privileges of Virtue. Confirmation and Baptism. Faith. Witness and hypocrisy. Marriage. Virtues and gifts of the Spirit. Retreats. Family Life. The Word of God. Demons. The Creed.

The Final ends: death, particular and general judgment, the end of the world, heaven, hell.

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[37] Prepare the way of the Lord, make straight his paths. . . .All flesh shall see the salvation of God [Lk 3:4, 6].

Throughout the entire course of Advent, the Church never stops inviting her children to the feast of her bridegroom’s birth. . . . On the first Sunday, it is by the fear which is the beginning of wisdom. They shall see it, etc. On the second, John the Baptist, who from the depths of his imprisonment recognizes Jesus Christ as sent, etc. On the third, John the Baptist, who complains of the blindness, etc. In your midst, etc. Today, prepare, etc. The Lord is near [Phil 4:5]. Go forth to meet him [Mt 25:6].

First Part. Obligation to prepare ourselves to . . . to receive—that is to say, in our souls by the communication of God’s grace—this God of mercy and goodness who came formerly, etc.

Two Motives. (1) The greatness of the mystery itself. (2) The abundance of graces which we receive there, in proportion to the dispositions we bring to this mystery.

First Motive. If you consider who is coming, see what great majesty; if you consider to whom he is descending, see what dignity; if you consider why he is coming, see how immense is his love (Saint Bernard).

We may paraphrase. Evidently great is the mystery of godliness which was manifested in the flesh, was recognized as just by the Spirit, appeared to the angels, has been preached to the Gentiles, is believed in the world, is taken up in glory [1Tim 3:16].

Second Motive. Abundance of graces, communicated in proportion to dispositions. It is not the same with these graces as with those of creation or Baptism. [38] To every one who has shall be given . . . and from those who have not, even what they have shall be taken from them [Lk 19:26].

The birth is the first of all the mysteries of Jesus Christ, as to sequence. It is so, also, as to the grace which it embodies—that of our birth and spiritual regeneration.

1. All the other mysteries depend on this one. . . . Faith in the other mysteries depends on it. If I believe this article of my religion, I will believe Jesus Christ was a man of sorrow, etc.

2. If we climb to heaven through participation in the glory of Jesus Christ, if we resurrect, etc. . . . This is why when Saint John speaks of the Incarnation and birth, he says, “full of grace and truth.”

Saint Bernard says the stable is open on all sides, etc. But these graces, like the gospel seed, must find a well-prepared soil. If after so many years I have not profited . . . received . . . I must attribute this to my own negligence. Otherwise, we would be saying our mysteries are without grace, or these graces are without effect. Blasphemies. . . .

Second Point. When Saint John the Baptist says, “All flesh shall see the salvation of God,” he immediately adds, “The crooked ways shall be made straight and the rough ways smooth” [Lk 3:6, 5]. Whatever may be our preparations, our practices . . . we must be without mortal sin. This is especially where the crooked ways lie. . . . For wisdom will not enter into a malicious soul, or dwell in a body subject to sin [Wis 1:4].

Three things happened before the Blessed Virgin conceived the Son of God. (1) The angel Gabriel was sent. (2) Behold the handmaid [39] of the Lord. Let it be with me according to your word [Lk 1:26, 38]. (3) The Holy Spirit came upon her.

Saint Ambrose says some wonderful things about this fiat. See how she obeys, as a servant; see how she consents, as a young girl; see how she approves, as queen; see how she judges, as mistress of the situation.

Application of these three things. (1) A grace which chases away sin. (2) Consenting to this grace. (3) The Holy Spirit, not only an actual grace but indwelling, by an indwelling grace (Council of Trent).

What was it God did in favor of the small number of chosen people who received him? To as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the children of God, to those who believe in his name [Jn 1:12]. (1) A light and a grace by which they discovered the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word. (2) They consented and believed. (3) The Holy Spirit united himself to them and by animating them, led them into a participation in the life of God. This is the meaning which the holy Fathers gave to the words of Saint John. To as many as . . . the world did not know him. . . . He came into his own, and his own did not receive him [Jn 1:12, 10, 11].

Contents

Translator's NoteA Word to the Reader

Notes for Conferences and SermonsNotebook Number 3

The Nativity of Jesus Christ

1. Jesus Christ on the Cross. Poverty and Humility2. Jesus Christ, the Word of God to the Human Race3. Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd4. For the Feast of Christmas5. Second Sermon for the Feast of Christmas6. Another Sermon for Christmas7. Outline for Two Christmas Sermons8. Fruits of the Birth of Jesus Christ9. Outline for Two Conferences for Christmas Day and the Day After

The Circumcision. The Magi

10. [The Circumcision of Jesus]11. The Circumcision12. The Holy Name of Jesus and the Circumcision13. Outline of Two Conferences for the Sunday within the Octave of Christmas and the Feast of the Circumcision14. On Mortification of the Passions15. On the Necessity of Salvation16. Appearance of the Star. Actual Grace17. [Parallel between the Star and Grace]18. Conference for the Feast of the Epiphany19. The Flight into Egypt and the Massacre of the Innocents20. Conference on the Flight into Egypt21. Sermon on the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

The Passion of Jesus Christ

22. The Insults Inflicted on Jesus Christ23. On the Scourging24. The Crowning with Thorns25. The Pain Inflicted upon the Head of Jesus Christ26. The Blessed Sacrament27. Jesus Christ Carrying His Cross28. Jesus on the Cross

The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

29. Sermon on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ30. Second Sermon on the Resurrection of Jesus Christ31. Sermon for the Feast of the Resurrection32. [The Sepulcher of Jesus Christ Is a Mother]33. Questions on the Resurrection34. Conference on the Resurrection35. The Resurrection of the Just on the Occasion of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ36. The Resurrection of Christ, Cause and Model of Our Resurrection37. The Resurrection of the Just38. The Resurrection of Jesus Christ

The Ascension of Jesus Christ

39. Sermon for the Ascension40. The Eternal Priesthood Exercised by Jesus in Heaven41. Sermon for the Ascension42. Sermon for the Ascension of Jesus Christ43. [Continuation of the Sermon for the Ascension]

Pentecost

44. Sermon for Pentecost Day45. Attractiveness of God's Law46. Second Sermon for the Day after Pentecost47. Sermon. The Christian, a Temple of God48. Some Explanations Concerning the Christian as God's Temple

The Eucharist

49. Twenty-seven Meditations on Holy Communion50. The Eucharist51. On Bad and Good Communions52. Mystical Death of the "Old Self"53. The Paschal Meal and the Last Supper. Institution of the Eucharist54. Feast of the Body of Christ (Corpus Christi)

Notes for Conferences and SermonsNotebook Number Four

Moral Life

55. Concerning Human Respect56. Instruction. The Cross of Jesus Christ57. Fruits of the Cross58. A "Normal" Natural Life59. Uneasiness of a Half-hearted Life60. On Good Example61. On the Presence of God62. Sermon. False Desires for Salvation63. Fourth Sunday of Advent64. Meditation on Intemperance of the Tongue

Preparation for Death. Contrition

65. Meditations To Prepare for Death66. Contrition

Life Based on GodVie Theologale

67. On the Love of God68. Conference on Keeping Sunday Holy69. Sermon on Keeping Sunday Holy70. Another Conference on Keeping Sunday Holy71. Witnessing to Jesus Christ as a Model72. On Being Unfaithful to Grace73. The Beatitudes74. On Curiosity75. Instruction on Grace76. Saint Peter's Repentance77. Conferences on Faith78. Conferences on Hope79. Conferences. Love of God80. Conferences. Love of Neighbor

Sin and Penance

81. Conferences on the Sacrament of Penance82. Conferences on Indulgences83. On Temptations. A Meditation84. Fruits of the Passion

Spiritual Life. Prayer

85. The Life of Faith86. Paraphrase of Psalm 50/51, Miserere87. Grace88. The "Science" of the Saints89. God Proposes the Saints as Models and Exemplars90. Sermon on Relationships of the Just with Sinners91. Conference for the First Sunday of Advent92. Seminary Retreat93. Parables. The Grain of Wheat, the Yeast94. On Friendship95. Mental Prayer96. Conference. Witness with the Blood of Martyrs

Notes for Conferences and SermonsNotebook Number Five

Respect for God and Neighbor

97. Respect in Church Buildings98. On Slander99. On Rash Judgment

The Seven Privileges of Virtue

100. Instruction on General Rewards for Virtue101. First Privilege of Virtue. Special Providence over the Just102. Second Privilege of Virtue. Grace of the Holy Spirit103. Third Privilege of Virtue. Spiritual Light as Opposed to Spiritual Blindness104. Fourth Privilege of Virtue. Consolations which the Holy Spirit Communicates to People of Good Will105. Fifth Privilege of Virtue. The Clear Conscience Experienced by Virtuous People106. Sixth Privilege of Virtue. Confidence in God107. Seventh Privilege of Virtue. True Freedom as Opposed to the Slavery of the Wicked

Confirmation and Baptism

Faith, Witness, Hypocrisy

113. Sermon. God Is Our Sovereign Lord114. Concerning Saint Peter's Faith115. On Saint Peter's Fall116. Sermon for the Feast of Saint John117. On Frequenting Good and Bad Companions118. Sermon against Hypocrisy119. On Public Penance120. On Intruders

Marriage, Virtues and Gifts. Retreat

121. Marriage122. Conference on Marriage123. Various Outlines and Summaries124. On Human Destiny125. On the End of the Christian126. On Retreat127. The Character of a Christian

Family. Word of God. Demons

128. Conference. Duties of Parents and of Children129. On the Word of God130. On Demons

Usury

131. Usury132. Usury133. Usury

The Christian Life. Duties and Dangers

134. Questions for Conferences on a Divine Call to a State of Life. In Particular, to Marriage135. Concerning Novels136. Conference. Dancing, Balls137. Conference. Confession138. Hope. Its Various Names139. Charity140. Concerning Love of Styles and Luxurious Apparel141. The State of Grace142. Hope143. Flight from the World144. On the Various States of Life145. Examen on the Commandments of God

Christian Faith

146. Instruction on the Necessity of Faith147. On the Darkness of Faith148. Faith149. Sermon on the Happiness of Believing150. Characteristics of Faith151. Martyrs152. The Firmness of Our Faith153. Conferences on Faith154. Conferences on Faith155. Doubts about Faith156. Observations and Explanations of the Conferences on Faith

Notes for Conferences and SermonsNotebook Number Six

Death

157. On Death158. Neglecting the Thought of Death159. Death

Death of the Sinner

160. Horrors of the Grave. Meditation161. Sermon on the Uncertainties of Death162. The Death of the Sinner163. Horrors of the Death of a Sinner

Death of the Just, of the Half-hearted

164. Of the Death of the Just165. The Death of the Just166. [Death of the Just, a Good Death]167. Death of the Just168. Death of the Half-hearted

Judgment. End of the World

169. Instruction on Preparation for Death and Judgment170. The General Judgment171. The Particular Judgment172. Particular Judgment173. End of the World and General Judgment174. The General Resurrection. End of the World175. Conflagration at the End of the World

Judgment as Examination

176. General Judgment. Severity of the Examination177. Last Judgment. Second Examination of Good Works178. Examnation of Sins of Bad Example or Sins of Others

Christians at Judgment Time

179. The Last Judgment180. The Sinner's Shame at the General Judgement181. Fear of God's Judgment182. God's Judgment without Mercy183. Another Sermon on the Last Judgment184. Then They Shall See the son of Man185. The General Judgment186. Sermon on the General Judgement

Paradise

187. Heaven188. The Joys of Heaven in and through Jesus Christ189. [The Heavenly Jerusalem]190. Paradise191. Second Conference on Heaven. The Love of the Blessed192. Third Conference on Heaven. Union of the Blessed with God193. Fourth Conference on Heaven. The Joys of the Blessed194. An Eternity of Happiness

Hell

195. Hell196. Judgment197. Immutablity of God's Designs198. Hell

Eternity of Hell

203. Hell Considered as Eternal204. The Eternity of Hell205. The Eternity of Hell206. The Small Number of the Elect207. Eternity208. Eternity

Immutablity of Hell

209. Of Eternity and especially of Its Immutablity210. The Road to Hell

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